Matthias Houvenagel on sailing 'fast and clever', preparing for the Musto Skiff 2025 Worlds
by International Musto Skiff Class Association 8 Nov 2024 23:37 PST
Matthias Houvenagel - 2023 Worlds finish © Annamaria Ramy
Over the coming weeks, we'll be sharing a series of interviews with Musto Skiff sailors representing different countries to find out how they've been preparing for the up-coming ACO 14th Musto Skiff 2025 Worlds in Sydney in January.
We've asked them what they are looking forward to most about sailing on the iconic Sydney Harbour, which is the stunning location of the host venue, Woollahra Sailing Club. We've also asked them what training (if any!) they've been doing to prepare for five days of championship racing, and for those that are willing to take a punt at the most likely podium finishers, we've asked them to share their prediction for the top finishers and the sailors to look out for on the racecourse.
Given that we're heading to Australia, we thought we'd kick off our Worlds interview series with an Aussie representative, and none other than former World Champion Matthias Houvenagel.
Getting to know Matthias Houvenagel....
Matt is currently based in Melbourne, sailing from Port Melbourne Yacht Club. Whilst Melbourne is home for Matt, and he proudly represents Australia in the Musto Skiff class, he could also choose to represent France or New Zealand given his heritage. Matt joked: "I like to tease the Aussie crew that if they don't let me win, I will start using FRA or NZL on my sail, as I am yet to win an event in Australia!"
Whilst an event win in Australia still eludes him, he has more than made up for it by winning the most prestige award in the class event calendar when he won the World Champion Title in 2023 at the ACO 12th Musto Skiff Worlds in Torbole, Lake Garda in Italy. To top it off, he achieved that in a borrowed boat, and the competition level was off the scale that year with Sam Pascoe and a chasing pack including Bill Maughan, Andy Tarboton, Danny Boatman, and Jamie Hilton all hot on his heels.
Currently 36 years of age, Matt started sailing in an Optimist at age seven and then moved on to Lasers, F18s, and Etchells. He now sails with the Musto Skiff class, and after not being able to attend the 2024 Worlds in Weymouth and Portland in the UK back in July, he is all set to have another go at the Champion Title for 2025 in Sydney.
The Musto Skiff is fun to sail, but it is also known for being a hard boat to learn and master. After nearly eight years sailing the Musto Skiff, is there anything that you still find challenging about it?
For sure it is a challenging boat, especially under pressure while racing, as any manoeuvres can and still bite back. It's going to be my 8th year in the boat, so I am getting comfortable, but at the same time I am still trying to push myself, so getting all the little details right is still very challenging and interesting. And like any other boat, every day on the water brings different challenges to adapt to.
What do you enjoy most about sailing it and being a part of the Musto Skiff class?
The speed and challenging nature of the boat make it very rewarding. For me, the one design aspect of the Musto Skiff class works perfectly. It allows me to sail in the little time that my life allows me, rather than spend half my free time developing or tuning/modifying the boat like you do in some other classes. A more practical reason is that the Musto Skiff class allows me to run a competitive boat with my finances. Last, but not least, the human camaraderie on the water, but also on land, with some fantastic boat tuning our random discussions with fellow passionate sailors.
You have entered the up-coming World Championship in Sydney, Australia. Have you ever sailed on Sydney Harbour before, and what are you looking forward to most about sailing there?
Yes, I have sailed there once. I did a Nationals in the F18 in 2016; it feels like a long time ago. It's going to be tricky with lots of opportunities. No one will have a home advantage, so that is going to make it fair for everyone. The winner will have to be fast and clever.
The 2025 Worlds is just months away now; what preparations have you made to get ready for this regatta?
The best part of my preparation is that I have a great training partner, Marcus Hamilton. Unfortunately, we are both limited with time. So, quality rather than quantity. We are hoping for more, but really we are dreaming.
You already have a Worlds title under your belt, having won the championship in 2023. Have you set yourself a target for the 2025 Worlds? Where are you hoping to finish? Feeling the pressure to win again?
A podium finish is the target. If I manage to be in the hunt for the win until the last race of the championship, I will be very pleased with that result. In Garda 2023, I was a dark horse—I didn't expect to win—and now myself and a fair few others are expected to be in contention for the title.
Finally, what is your prediction for the ACO 14th Musto Skiff World Championship 2025?
Weather and wind strength are big factors in performance, so ask me again during the Pre-Worlds in January when we have a forecast—ha ha! However, IF we get a mix bag of conditions, my expected top finishers are Jon Newman, Marcus Hamilton, Rob Richardson, and myself. Regarding youth sailors, Casey Bates is also showing some great speed, and he doesn't need much to complete the full package.
About the Musto Skiff 2025 Worlds
The ACO 14th Musto Skiff World Championship 2025 will be hosted at Woollahra Sailing Club in Sydney, Australia, over 2nd to 10th January 2025.
Entry includes the 2025 Australian National Titles on 2nd and 3rd January, which will double up as the Pre-Worlds practice races. The 2025 World Championship will then be hosted from 4th to 10th January, with two lay days planned.
The class is proud to be supported by the main event sponsor, ACO, for the 2025 Worlds, as well as the supporting sponsor, J&J Robertson and Sons, working in partnership with ANJ Container Services, and event partners, Musto, Ovington Boats, and the B14 Class, who will be hosting their own World Championship during the same event week.
Standard entry for the Musto Skiff 2025 Worlds is available until 31st November 2024. To find out more, see the event guide here, or go directly to the host venue website to download the NOR and enter.
Look out for our next class sailor interview with Brennan Robinson, who will be representing South Africa at the Musto Skiff 2025 Worlds in January.